It's been an incredible ride for Wilfork with the Patriots, and this move will likely be met with elation through the team's fanbase.

In 10 seasons, he has played 142 regular-season games (132 starts), tallying 16.0 sacks, 469 combined tackles, four forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He has added another three sacks in 18 postseason contests, winning the Super Bowl in the 2004-05 NFL season.

Of course, his impact goes far beyond the numbers.

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Wilfork has been one of the most dominant interior linemen over the past decade, a player capable of creating disruption on every play and completely shutting down opponents' running games. He was a massive, physical, athletic force whom teams needed to game-plan away from.

And as WEEI.com's Christopher Price pointed out, he and quarterback Tom Brady are the only remaining players from the last Pats Super Bowl roster:

If @wilfork75 is indeed released, Tom Brady would be the only guy left on roster from the last Patriots Super Bowl winner.

There were times when his departure seemed like a guarantee, but not everyone was nearly as convinced.

“If he hits the free agency, I would be shocked,” former Pats linebacker Brandon Spikes said in early March on NFL Network, via The Republican's Nick Underhill. “I think the Patriots love him, the organization up there, Boston loves him. He’s been there for a while. I just honestly can’t see him leaving.”

There are undoubtedly concerns.

How would you grade this move by the Patriots?

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How would you grade this move by the Patriots?

A

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D

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F

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Total votes: 6,800

Wilfork is 32 years old and coming off an Achilles injury that forced him to miss all but four games in 2013. It's difficult to project how a player of his stature will return from such a serious injury.

Nevertheless, the restructuring of his contract—the original deal presented a cap hit of $11.6 million next season—cuts down the risk significantly, making it a smart move for the Patriots, who now look far more solid on the interior of their defensive line.

Tommy Kelly will also be returning from injury, while 23-year-old Sealver Siliga proved to be effective against the run last season and now provides encouraging depth.

Throw in the additions of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner in the secondary, and this defense—led by the same anchor of the past decade—looks formidable.